U.S. patent number 6,999,380 [Application Number 10/476,889] was granted by the patent office on 2006-02-14 for clock apparatus adapted to summer time, monitoring camera apparatus having the same, and clock apparatus time setting method.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Shigeaki Yamamoto.
United States Patent |
6,999,380 |
Yamamoto |
February 14, 2006 |
Clock apparatus adapted to summer time, monitoring camera apparatus
having the same, and clock apparatus time setting method
Abstract
A timepiece comprises a standard time clock for counting
standard time and means for calculating daylight saving time by
adding a predetermined time correction value to the standard time
when judging that the standard time is within the period of
daylight saving time. When a time input for setting the timepiece
is after a daylight saving time starting time as expressed in the
standard time and before a daylight saving time starting time as
expressed in daylight saving time, the timepiece corrects the input
time by adding the time correction value thereto and sets the
corrected time as daylight saving time for the standard time clock.
A monitoring camera device comprises the timepiece. Time data
output from the timepiece when an image is captured is added as
image capturing time data to image data obtained by capturing the
image.
Inventors: |
Yamamoto; Shigeaki (Itami,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
(Moriguchi, JP)
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Family
ID: |
18991635 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/476,889 |
Filed: |
May 16, 2002 |
PCT
Filed: |
May 16, 2002 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/JP02/04761 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
November 14, 2003 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO02/093275 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
November 21, 2002 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20040151072 A1 |
Aug 5, 2004 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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May 16, 2001 [JP] |
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2001-145900 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
368/10; 368/187;
368/21; 368/28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G04G
9/0076 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G04B
47/00 (20060101); G04B 19/22 (20060101); G04B
19/24 (20060101); G04C 9/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;368/21,22,28,29,47,185,187,10 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2001-42072 |
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Feb 2001 |
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JP |
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2001-83268 |
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Mar 2001 |
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JP |
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Primary Examiner: Miska; Vit W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Armstrong, Kratz, Quintos, Hanson
& Brooks, LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A timepiece comprising a standard time clock for counting
standard time and a processing unit for calculating daylight saving
time by adding a predetermined time correction value to the
standard time when judging that the standard time is within the
period of daylight saving time, the timepiece being characterized
in that the processing unit judges whether a time input for setting
the timepiece is after a daylight saving time starting time as
expressed in the standard time and before a daylight saving time
starting time as expressed in daylight saving time, and when the
input time is within this time zone, the processing unit corrects
the input time by adding the time correction value thereto to set
the corrected time as daylight saving time.
2. A timepiece comprising a standard time clock for counting
standard time and a processing unit for calculating daylight saving
time by adding a predetermined time correction value to the
standard time when judging that the standard time is within the
period of daylight saving time, the timepiece being characterized
in that the processing unit judges whether a time input for setting
the timepiece is after a daylight saving time starting time as
expressed in the standard time and before a daylight saving time
starting time as expressed in daylight saving, and when the input
time is within this time zone, the processing unit sets the input
time as it is for the standard time clock.
3. A time setting method for a timepiece comprising a standard time
clock for counting standard time and a processing unit for
calculating daylight saving time by adding a predetermined time
correction value to the standard time when judging that the
standard time is within the period of daylight saving time, the
time setting method being characterized in that the method
comprises the steps of: inputting to the timepiece the time to be
set, judging with use of the processing unit whether the input time
is after a daylight saving time starting time as expressed in the
standard time and before a daylight saving time starting time as
expressed in daylight saving time, correcting the input time by
adding the time correction value thereto with use of the processing
unit when the input time is after a daylight saving time starting
time as expressed in the standard time and before a daylight saving
time starting time as expressed in daylight saving time, and
setting the corrected time as daylight saving time with use of the
processing unit.
4. A time setting method for a timepiece comprising a standard time
clock for counting standard time and a processing unit for
calculating daylight saving time by adding a predetermined time
correction value to the standard time when judging that the
standard time is within the period of daylight saving time, the
time setting method being characterized in that the method
comprises the steps of: inputting to the timepiece the time to be
set, judging with the use of the processing unit whether the input
time is after a daylight saving time starting time as expressed in
the standard time and before a daylight saving time starting time
as expressed in daylight saving time, and setting the input time as
it is for the standard time clock with use of the processing unit
when the input time is after a daylight saving time starting time
as expressed in the standard time and before a daylight saving time
starting time as expressed in daylight saving time.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to timepieces which are settable
accurately and adapted for daylight saving time, surveillance or
monitoring camera devices and a time setting method for the
timepiece.
BACKGROUND ART
Daylight saving time is a system wherein timepieces are advanced by
a predetermined period of time from the standard time during a
specified period of from spring to fall. Daylight saving time is
presently adopted by at least seventy countries. In the U.S., for
example, the period of daylight saving time starts at 2 a.m. on the
first Sunday of April and ends at 2 a.m. on the last Sunday of
October, and during this period, timepieces are advanced by one
hour. Stated more specifically with reference to FIG. 7, the period
of daylight saving time in 2001 AD starts at 2 a.m. on the first
Sunday of April, i.e., April 1. Accordingly, the time of day
following April 1, 1:59 a.m. is not 2 a.m. but 3 a.m. The period of
daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on the last Sunday of October,
i.e., October 28. Accordingly, the time of day following October
28, 1:59 a.m. is not 2 a.m. but returns to 1 a.m.
The timepiece adapted for daylight saving time automatically
advances the standard time by a specified time correction value to
indicate daylight saving time during the period of this system.
Such a timepiece needs to have set therein information serving to
provide a basis for judging whether the current time is within the
period of daylight saving time. Generally provided as this
information are conditions for a transition from the standard time
to daylight saving time (hereinafter referred to as "DST transition
conditions") which are determined for each year and which comprise
the starting time and ending time of the period of daylight saving
time. In the case of the U.S. in 2001 AD shown in FIG. 7,
determined as the DST transition conditions are "the first Sunday
of April, 2 a.m." as the starting time of the period of daylight
saving time and "the last Sunday of October, 2 a.m." as the ending
time of the period. The starting time is expressed in the standard
time, and the ending time in daylight saving time.
In the case of such a timepiece, the user must seta time of day
after turning on the power source. Further in the case where the
time indicated differs from the correct time, the user must input
the correct time to the timepiece to correct the time setting.
Accordingly when the timepiece is to be set or corrected, it is
likely that a time that can not exist under the system of daylight
saving time will be input. Such a situation is very likely to occur
in the case where the timepiece is set immediately after the start
of the period of daylight saving time with reference to the
indication of a timepiece which is not adapted for daylight saving
time or which has not been changed over to this system. After the
timepiece has been set, the timepiece counts time based on the time
setting. Accordingly, if set erroneously, the timepiece will
indicate incorrect times.
For example, reference will be made to the case of the U.S. shown
in FIG. 7. When a time during the period of from 2 a.m. to 2:59 of
April 1 (Sunday) is input to the timepiece, the input time fulfills
the DST transition conditions and is therefore interpreted as being
under the system of daylight saving time. However, such a time does
not exist under the system of daylight saving time, and the
timepiece is set in error.
Timepieces are used not only for indicating times but are used also
as incorporated in a main apparatus to supply required time data to
the main apparatus. For example, surveillance or monitoring camera
devices for capturing images at intervals of a predetermined time
period and recording the image data obtained are provided with a
timepiece for giving time data to the image data. Such camera
devices are intended for surveillance or monitoring for continually
recording image data at intervals of a predetermined period of
time, the time data for affording information as to the image
capturing time must be accurate at all times. Setting the timepiece
erroneously must be avoided especially in the case of the timepiece
incorporated in the monitoring camera device.
The present invention provides a timepiece which is adapted for
daylight saving time so that even if a time erroneous under the
system of daylight saving time is set for the timepiece, the input
time is automatically corrected for correct time setting, a time
setting method for the timepiece, and a monitoring camera device
comprising the timepiece.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a timepiece comprising a standard
time clock for counting standard time and means for calculating
daylight saving time by adding a predetermined time correction
value to the standard time when judging that the standard time is
within the period of daylight saving time, the timepiece being
characterized in that when a time input for setting the timepiece
is after a daylight saving time starting time as expressed in the
standard time and before a daylight saving time starting time as
expressed in daylight saving time, the input time is corrected by
adding the time correction value thereto to set the corrected time
as daylight saving time.
According to the invention, the timepiece is adapted to judge
whether the time input for time setting is a time that is
attributable to a changeover to daylight saving time and can not
exist under the system of daylight saving time. Even when the time
that can not exist under this system is input, the timepiece
corrects the input time by adding a time correction value thereto,
and handles the corrected time as daylight saving time. Thus, the
timepiece is set, with the corrected time, that is a daylight
saving time, entered as the time to be set. Accordingly correct
time is set for the timepiece even if a time that can not exist
under the system of daylight saving time is input.
The present invention further provides a timepiece which, when a
time input for setting the timepiece is after a daylight saving
time starting time as expressed in the standard time and before a
daylight saving time starting time as expressed in daylight saving
time, the timepiece sets the input time as it is for the standard
time clock. Thus, correct time is set for the timepiece even if a
time that can not be present under the System of daylight saving
time is input.
The present invention further provides a monitoring camera device
which comprises the above timepiece and wherein time data output
from the timepiece when an image is captured is added as image
capturing time data to image data obtained by capturing the
image.
The monitoring camera device has the timepiece incorporated
therein, whereby accurate time data can be added to the image data
recorded successively and continually at intervals of a
predetermined period of time even when a time that can not exist
under the system of daylight saving time is input.
The present invention provides a time setting method for a
timepiece comprising a standard time clock for counting standard
time and means for calculating daylight saving time by adding a
predetermined time correction value to the standard time when
judging that the standard time is within the period of daylight
saving time, the time setting method being characterized in that
the method comprises the steps of: inputting to the timepiece the
time to be set, judging whether the input time is after a daylight
saving time starting time as expressed in the standard time and
before a daylight saving time starting time as expressed in
daylight saving time, correcting the input time by adding the time
correction value thereto when the input time is after a daylight
saving time starting time as expressed in the standard time and
before a daylight saving time starting time as expressed in
daylight saving time, and setting the corrected time as daylight
saving time.
The invention provides another time setting method for a timepiece
which method is characterized by setting an input time as it is for
the standard time clock when the input time is after a daylight
saving time starting time as expressed in the standard time and
before a daylight saving time starting time as expressed in
daylight saving time.
According to the method of the invention, the timepiece is adapted
to judge whether the time input for time setting can not exist
under the system of daylight saving time, and correct time is set
for the timepiece even if the time input can not exist under the
system of daylight saving time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a monitoring camera device embodying
the invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a representation on the display screen
of a monitor when a time of day is set;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a representation on the display screen
of the monitor when daylight saving time is set;
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an operation of a timepiece
embodying the invention;
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing another operation of the timepiece
embodying the invention;
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of a second embodiment
of timepiece of the invention; and
FIG. 7 is a diagram for illustrating a system of daylight saving
time.
BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in
detail with reference to the drawings. The system of daylight
saving time will be described with reference to the case of the
U.S. in 2001 shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the invention, i.e.,
a monitoring camera device. This camera device comprises a
timepiece 31 adapted for daylight saving time. An image pickup unit
1 comprises an optical lens, diagram mechanism and solid image
pickup element such as CCD. The image pickup unit 1 is controlled
by an image pickup control circuit 9 which is operable in response
to a control signal from a CPU 11. An A/D converter 3 converts an
analog image signal input from the image pickup unit 1 to a digital
image signal. The digital image signal is processed by a signal
processing circuit 5 for color separation, gamma correction, white
balance adjustment, etc. The resulting digital image data is
compressed by the CPU 11 and stored in a memory buffer 21 as
compressed data. According to the present embodiment, the image
data is compressed by the JPEG method. CPU 11 performs calculations
of daylight saving time, processing based on the DST transition
conditions, etc. Connected to the CPU 11 are a ROM 27 having stored
therein programs prescribing the processing to be executed by the
CPU 11, and EEPROM 29 having the DST transition conditions. The CPU
11, ROM 27 and EEPROM 29 constitute the timepiece 31 along with a
standard clock 19 for outputting standard time data. The standard
clock 19 delivers standard time data to the CPU 11 in a
predetermined cycle at all times.
The compressed image data stored in the memory buffer 21 has
attached thereto, as subinformation, image capturing time data
output from the CPU 11 when images are captured. The compressed
image data is stored via the CPU 11 on a hard disk 7 which is a
recording medium randomly accessible. The CPU 11 processes the
compressed image data on the hard disk 7 for the expansion of the
data. A video encoder 13 adds a synchronizing signal and color
burst signal to the digital image signal resulting from expansion
of the data. The image signal is thereafter converted to an analog
image signal by a D/A converter 15. A monitor 17 displays images
based on the analog image signal. The monitor 17 serves also as a
display for indicating to the user various settings, especially
settings of times of day or the DST transition conditions.
A system controller 23 controls the CPU 11 in response to the
manipulation of manual buttons 25. When suitably manipulated,
manual buttons 25 set the timepiece 31 in a time setting mode. In
the time setting mode, particulars about a time setting are
presented on the screen of the monitor 17 as shown in FIG. 2. While
watching the monitor 17, the user manipulates manual buttons 25 to
input year, month, day, hours and minutes. These items are entered
by manipulating numeral buttons, decision button, cancel button,
etc. included among the manual buttons 25. In place of or in
addition to the numeral buttons, the manual buttons 25 include a
cross button for moving a cursor on the screen and an up-down
button for increasing or decreasing a number on the screen. Items
may be entered using these buttons. When a time is set, the
timepiece 31 starts to count time at the set time.
When the timepiece 31 is set in a daylight saving time setting mode
by manipulating manual buttons 25, particulars about a daylight
saving time setting are presented on the screen of the monitor 17
as shown in FIG. 3. While watching the monitor 17, the user enters
the starting time and ending time of daylight saving time by
manipulating manual buttons 25. In the daylight saving time setting
mode, it is possible to determine whether the DST transition
conditions set are valid. When the setting of DST transition
conditions is made "off," the timepiece 31 outputs standard time
even during the period of daylight saving time. In the state shown
in FIG. 3, the DST transition conditions are "on," the daylight
saving time starting time is set on the first Sunday of April at 2
a.m. as expressed in the standard time, and the daylight saving
time ending time is set on the last Sunday of October at 2 a.m. as
expressed in daylight saving time.
As previously described, data as to the year is set in the time
setting mode. In the case shown in FIG. 2, "2001" is set as year
data. In the daylight saving time setting mode, the dates of the
daylight saving time starting time and ending time are not shown in
numerical values. With reference to the year data, and data as to
the calendar for tens of years stored in the ROM 27, the CPU 11
calculates that the first Sunday of April is April 1, and that the
last Sunday of October is October 28. The calculated items of data
as to the daylight saving time starting time and ending time are
stored in the EEPROM 29.
Next, a description will be given of the operation of the timepiece
31 comprising the standard clock 19, CPU 11, etc., with attention
directed mainly to the processing to be performed by the CPU
11.
First, the time calculating operation of the timepiece 31 will be
described with reference to FIG. 4. The CPU 11 calculates time as
interrupt processing at intervals of a predetermined period of
time, every time an image is captured, or every time image data is
stored on the hard disk 7. In the beginning, standard time data
output from the standard clock 19 is fed to the CPU 11, which in
turn inquires whether the standard time indicated by the data is
included in the daylight saving time zone (S1). The term "daylight
saving time zone" refers to the daylight saving time starting time
as expressed in the standard time and the subsequent time zone
before the daylight saving time ending time as expressed in the
standard time (not inclusive of the ending time). In the
illustrated case of FIG. 7, the daylight saving time starting time
according to the standard time is April 1, 2 a.m., and the daylight
saving time ending time according to the standard time is October
28, 1 a.m. The CPU 11 inquires whether the standard time indicated
by the data is included in the time zone of from April 1, 2 a.m. to
October 28, 0:59:59 a.m. When the answer is negative, the timepiece
31 adopts the standard time data output by the standard clock 19 as
it is as image capturing time data (S2). The standard time data is
used as subinformation for the image data or display data on the
monitor 17.
When the answer to the inquiry of step S1 is affirmative, the CPU
11 adds a time correction value for use during the period of
daylight saving time to the standard time to calculate daylight
saving time, and outputs daylight saving time data indicating the
daylight saving time (S3). The time correction value for use during
the period of daylight saving time refers to the time difference
value between the standard time and daylight saving time. In the
illustrated case of FIG. 7, the time correction value is 1 hour.
The daylight saving time data output from the CPU 11 is used as
subinformation for the image data or display data on the monitor
17.
Next, the time setting operation of the timepiece 31 will be
described with reference to FIG. 5. First, the user enters in the
timing setting mode the time to be set and comprising year, month,
day, hours and minutes as shown in FIG. 2 by manipulating manual
buttons 25 (S11). The CPU 11 then inquires whether the time is
included in the daylight saving time zone (S12). As previously
stated, the term "daylight saving time zone" refers to the daylight
saving time starting time as expressed in the standard time and the
subsequent time zone before the daylight saving time ending time.
Stated more specifically with reference to the illustrated case of
FIG. 7, the daylight saving time zone is a time zone of from April
1, 2 a.m. to October 28, 0:59:59 a.m. as expressed in the standard
time.
In the case where the input time is outside daylight saving time
zone, the CPU 11 judges the input time to be standard time, and
sets the time data indicating the input time as it is for the
standard clock 19 (S13). The standard clock 19 having the time data
stored therein starts to count standard time at the time indicated
by the time data.
In the case where the input time is found to be within the daylight
saving time zone (S12), the CPU 11 then inquires whether the input
time is included within a time zone which does not exist under the
system of daylight saving time (S14) The time zone not existing
under the system of daylight saving time is after the daylight
saving time starting time as expressed in the standard time and the
subsequent time zone before (and not including) the daylight saving
time starting time as expressed in daylight saving time (i.e., time
corresponding to the starting time as expressed in the standard
time plus the time correction value). In the illustrated case of
FIG. 7, the time zone not existing under the system of daylight
saving time is a time zone of from April 1 (Sunday), 2 a.m. to
2:59: a.m. When the input time is outside the time zone not
existing under the system of daylight saving time, the CPU 11
judges the input time to be daylight saving time, converts the
input time to standard time, and sets the time indicating the
converted standard time for the standard clock 19 (S15). In the
illustrated case of FIG. 7, time data indicating a time
corresponding the input time minus 1 hour is set for the standard
clock 19. The standard clock 19 having the time data stored therein
starts to count standard time at the time indicated by the time
data.
When the input time is within the daylight saving time zone and is
found to be in the time zone not existing under the system of
daylight saving time (S14), the input time is corrected by adding
thereto the time correction value for use during the daylight
saving time zone. The standard clock 19 is set based on the
corrected time. With the corrected time interpreted as being
daylight saving time, the CPU converts the corrected time to
standard time as in step S15, and the standard time as converted
from the corrected time is set for the standard clock 19 (S16). In
the illustrated case of FIG. 7, the input time (e.g., April 1, 2:10
a.m.) plus 1 hour is the corrected time (April 1, 3:10 a.m.), and
the time (April 1, 2:10 a.m.) obtained by subtracting 1 hour from
the corrected time is set for the standard clock 19. Even if the
input time is within a time zone not existing under the daylight
saving time, it is unlikely that the value obtained by subtracting
the time correction value for use during the period of daylight
saving time from the input time will be set for the standard clock
19. Thus, correct time is set for the timepiece 31 by the above
procedure.
FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of time setting operation of the
timepiece 31 of the invention. First, the user manipulates manual
buttons 25 to input the time to be set (S21). CPU 11 then inquires
whether the input time is included within the daylight saving time
zone (S22). If the input time is outside the daylight saving time
zone, CPU 11 judges the input time to be standard time, and time
data indicating the input time is set as it is for the standard
clock 19 (S23). The standard clock 19 having the time data stored
therein starts to count standard time at the time indicated by the
time data, and the timepiece 31 outputs standard time data obtained
from the standard clock 19 (S24).
When the input time is found to be within the daylight saving time
zone (S22), the CPU 11 inquires whether the input time is included
in a time zone not existing under the system of daylight saving
time (S25). In the case where the input time is outside the time
zone not existing under the system of daylight saving time, the CPU
11 judges the input time to be daylight saving time, converts the
input time to standard time, and set a time indicating the
converted standard time for the standard clock 19 (S26). Thus, time
data indicating a time obtained by subtracting the time correction
value from the input time is set for the standard clock 19. The
standard clock 19 having the time data stored therein starts to
count standard time at the time indicated by the time data, and the
timepiece 31 outputs (in step S27) time data indicating a time
obtained by adding the time correction value to the standard time
according to the procedure shown in FIG. 4 (S3, S4).
In the case where the input time is within the time zone not
existing under the system of daylight saving time (S25), the CPU 11
sets time data indicating the input time, as it is for the standard
clock 19 (S28). The standard clock 19 having the input time data
stored therein starts to count standard time at the time indicated
by the time data, and the timepiece 31 outputs (in step S29) time
data indicating a time obtained by adding time correction value to
the standard time according to the procedure of FIG. 4 (S3,
S4).
While embodiments of the present invention have been described
above, the hard disk used as a recording medium for image data and
the JPEG method used for compressing the image data for recording
are intended to illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and the
present invention are not limited to such means or method.
* * * * *